Means for stabilizing a civil engineering machine

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for stabilizing a civil engineering machine mounted on an uneven surface. Two props are pivotally connected to the chassis of the machine and are arranged for movement relative to each other and to the chassis by jack means connecting the props. Further jack means connecting at least one of the props to the chassis serve to lock the pivotal connection between each such prop and the chassis thereby locking the props relative to each other and to the chassis.

United States Patent l l l Inventor Yves M. Gauchet Senlis, France Appl. No. 834,819

Filed June 19, 1969 Patented Sept. 7, 1971 Assignee Societe Anonyme Poclain Oise, France Priority June 21, 1968 France MEANS FOR STABILIZING A CIVIL ENGINEERING MACHINE 10 Claims, 4 Drawing F15.

U.S. Cl 280/ 150.5, 212/145 1nt.Cl B605 9/10 Field of Search 280/150 C,

[ 56] References Cited UNITED. STATES PATENTS 2,750,204 6/1956 Ohrmann 280/150 C 3,442,530 5/1969 Guinot 280/150.5 2,992,016 7/1961 Pilch 280/I50.5 3,175,698 3/1965 Dassler 212/145 3,397,898 8/1968 Denny et al 280/150 C Primary Examiner-Leo Friaglia Assistant Examiner-Winston H. Douglas Attorney-Mason, Fenwick & Lawrence ABSTRACT: Apparatus for stabilizing a civil engineering machine mounted on an uneven, surface. Two props are pivotally connected to the chassis of the machine and are arranged for movement relative to each other and to the chassis by jack means connecting the props. [Further jack means connecting at least one of the props to the chassis serve to lock the pivotal connection between each such prop and the chassis thereby locking the props relative to each other and to the chassis.

PATENTED SEP 7 Ian SHEET 1 0F 2 Fig. 2

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SHEET 2 OF 2 IN VE N 7'0 Yves Mfiaucuer mwgg l oo #M MEANS FOR S'llAlBllLllZlNG A CllVllL ENGlNlElElRllNG MACHINE When a tool or implement is operating, more particularly when it is carrying loads at the end of a shovel, civil engineering machinery must, of course, be secured, for example, by suitable means.

The means known at present, however, are unsuitable in practice. The most improved versions of such means secure the machine either by lowering four elements or props in relation to the chassis, such props having only one operative position and securing then has to be completed by additional elements outside the machine; alternatively four props are lowered which have baseplates which are movable in relation to the props, location being carried out by means of a screw jack, spindles or any other mechanical, hydraulic or electrical system; alternatively the lowering of the four props is controlled independently, the baseplates being stationary with respect to the props. These means are generally impractical because they take a long time to use or they are relatively expensive.

The object of the invention is to obviate these disadvantages. 3

The principal object of the invention is to provide a civil engineering machinestabilizing system which consists of at least one pair of props, each of the props being pivotally connected to the machine chassis. At least one jack connects the two props while at least one connection which is adapted to be made rigid connects the props to the chassis,

According to a first embodiment a hydraulic jack is secured between the two props of a pair while a second jack is secured between an element rigidly secured to the chassis and one of the props.

In a second embodiment, an arm is pivotally connected to the chassis while a hydraulic jack is secured between said arm and the chassis and two other jacks are each secured between a prop and the arm.

In a third embodiment, two arms are pivotally connected to the chassis while two hydraulic jacks are each secured between one arm and the chassis and two other jacks are each secured between one prop and one arm.

The invention also relates to a civil engineering machine whose chassis has a fixed axle and a rocking and/or very short axle, the chassis being provided with a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle. A stabilizing system according to one of the previous embodiments is also disposed on the chassis.

The stabilizing system is preferably disposed near the rocking axle.

The invention will be more readily understood and secondary features and their advantages will be apparent from the description of three embodiments given hereinafter by way of example.

The description and drawings are given solely by way of example without any limiting force.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. l is a diagrammatic perspective of the chassis of a machine provided with four props and employing a system ac cording to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic section of a first embodiment of a system according to the invention.

FlG. 3 is a diagrammatic section of a second embodiment of a system according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic section ofa third embodiment ofa system according to the invention.

A machine provided with a system according to the invention comprises more particularly a nondeforrnable chassis 1 supported by running gear with may consist, for example, of a fixed axle l and an axle ll pivoted about a longitudinal axis l2 to allow rocking in a substantially vertical plane, the axles l0 and H being provided with wheels. Pairs of props are disposed near these axles. The props 8 and 9 with their baseplates l and 5 are disposed near the axle 10 while the props 6 and 7 with their baseplates 2 and 3 are disposed near the axle ll. The props of a pair are preferably disposed symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal plane of the chassis l and are pivotally connected to the: chassis by spindles which are generally parallel to the said longitudinal plane, e.g. the spindles 2'7 and 26, 25 and 26. A description will now be given of the pair of props 6 and 7.

In a first embodiment according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, the props 6 and 7 are pivotally connected about axes 25, 26 to the chassis 1. They can bear arms 6a and 7a which are rigidly secured thereto and form their continuation beyond the securing point at the end remote from the baseplates 2 and 3. If the chassis l is not excessively wide and also has a recessed part, a hydraulic jack 13 is pivotally connected to 6a at 29 and to 7a at 30. A second jack M is pivotally connected at 31 to an element 32 rigidly secured to the chassis l, and at 33 to the arm 7a. The jack l3 can be connected to a pressure fluid supply source while the two chambers 61 and 62 of the jack M are connected by a conduit 63 containing a cock 64. A conventional system for feeding the jack l4 may be provided but has not been shown since it is not essential to an understanding of the operation.

If, on the other hand, the chassis l is wide or too bulky for the first embodiment to be applied, or if the props of a pair are situated on one side of the chassis, the second or third embodiment will be selected.

In the second embodiment, an element 24 in the form of an arm is pivotally connected to the chassis l at 51. A jack 19 is pivotally connected to 6a at 47 and to 24 at 48 while a jack 20 is pivotally connected to 7a at 52 and to M at 53. Also a jack 21 is pivotally connected to 24- at 50 and at 49 it is pivotally connected to an element 46 rigidly secured to the chassis l.

The jacks l9 and 20 are connected in parallel and the jack rods are pivotally connected at 47 and 52 so that the inlet chambers of the two jacks are remote from the rods and are fed with pressure fluid in parallel relationship. Hydraulic fluid is provided to the cylinders 19 and 20 by means of a conventional hydraulic delivery system such as that shown in jacks. Similarly, Pat. No. 3,452,530 which includes a suction conduit 70 connected to a pump 71 for removing fluid from a tank 72 for delivery by a delivery conduit 73 to a three-way control valve 74. Control valve 74 is operable for providing pressurized fluid to either of two conduits 76 or 77 which respectively branch into branch conduits 76a and 76b are connected to the innermost chambers 19a and 20a of jacks l9 and 20 respectively so that pressurized fluid injected into these chambers serves to extend both of the jacks. Similarly 77a and 77b are connected to chambers Nb and 20b so that pressurized fluid injected into these chambers serves to retract the jacks in an obvious manner. It should be noted that valve 74 connects the chambers 19b and 20b to exhaust through a pressure relief valve 78 and an exhaust line 75 back to the tank 72 when the other chambers of each of the jack members are receiving pressurized fluid. Similarly, chambers 19a and 20a are connected to exhaust when pressurized fluid is being injected into chambers 1% and 20b.

Jack 21 is provided with two chambers 65 and 66 which are connected by a conventional control valve 79 to a conduit 80 extending to the exhaust line 757 Valve 79 is positionable to block members 65 and 66 when positioned as shown in FIG. 3 but is also movable to a second position to enable the filling of chambers via conduit 80 through valve 74 in an obvious manner. it should be noted that valve 78 is capable of releasing pressurized fluid a pressure above a low value for return via exhaust line 75. Consequently, fluid from chambers 65 and 66 is easily exhausted through conduits 81 or 82 upon actuation of either ofthejacks 119 or 26!.

The third embodiment relates to the machine already described but the two arm elements 22 and 23 are pivotally connected to the chassis l at 34 and 35. A jack 15 is pivotally connected to 6a at 36 and to 23 at 37, while a jack 16 is pivotally connected to 711 at E8 and to 22 at 39. Finally, two

other jacks are pivotally connected, 18 at 41, to an element 40 rigidly secured to the chassis 1, and at 42 to 23, and 17 at 44 to an element 43 rigidly secured to the chassis 1, and at 45 to 22.

The jacks 15 and 16 are connected in parallel. In other words, if the jacks rods are respectively pivotally connected at 36 and 38, the inlet chambers of the two jacks remote from the rods are connected in parallel and fed with pressure fluid. The jacks l7 and 18 are also connected in parallel. In other words, if the jack rods are respectively pivotally connected at 42 and 45, the chambers 56 and 57 of the two jacks remote from the rods are connected by a conduit 59. Similarly, the chambers 54 and 55 are connected via a conduit 58. One of the two conduits, e.g. 59, contains a cock 60. A system for feeding the jacks 17 and 18 is provided but has not been shown.

All the jacks used are of the double-action type.

Operation is as follows:

The machine arrives at the site where its working equipment is to operate, generally a building site. The machine must be secured on its stabilizers to give a satisfactory support if large forces are to be applied. First of all, the props 8 and 9 are lowered and since they are situated near the fixed angle 10 the wheels of which have relatively little movement, they can be controlled by the conventional system and bear against stops on the chassis 1.

With regard to the second pair of props 6 and 7 according to the first embodiment the jack 13 moves the arms 6a and 7a of the props apart so that the props approach and come into contact with the ground to which they are applied with maximum force, the forces on the two props having very substantially the same value. During this entire operation the cock 64 remains open, the fluid of the locking jaw 14 being completely free to flow between the two chambers 61 and 62. When the operation is completed, the props bearing against the ground, the cock 64 is closed so that the prop 7 and the prop 6 are rigidly secured to the chassis l and the chassis is completely immobilized with respect to the ground.

With regard to the second embodiment the props 8 and 9 are actuated and then the props 6 and 7. The latter two are located by feeding the jacks 19 and 20 in parallel by the positioning of valve 74 to feed pressurized fluid to lines 76a and 761) so that the props are moved apart and their baseplates 2 and 3 come into contact with the ground against which they are firmly engaged. Valve 79 remained in its leftmost position during the prop-lowering operation in order that the element 24 can be permitted to shift somewhat to consequently force fluid from or to either of chambers 65 or 66. After the props have been lowered, the valve 79 is shifted to its blocking position illustrated in FIG. 3 so as to prevent any further movement ofjack 21 and consequently to lock the linkage consisting of jacks 19, 20 and element 24 in a fixed position with respect to the chassis. Consequently, the chassis is immobilized with respect to the ground.

With the third embodiment, when the props 8 and 9 have been located, the props 6 and 7 are actuated. To this end, the jacks 15 and 16 are fed in parallel in a similar way to the jacks 19 and of the second embodiment. The cock 60 which was open at the start of the operation and until the baseplates 2 and 3 of the props 6 and 7 have come into contact with the ground, is then closed to lock the jacks 17 and 18 in the position they occupy so that the chassis 1 is thus locked with respect to the ground.

It should be noted that in addition to very simple operation which provides substantially immediate stabilization the systems according to the invention automatically adapt the machine support polygon to the ground without the operator having to evaluate the appropriate procedure. Also, operation of just one pair of props according to the invention is sufficient to secure the machine and this further simplifies the operation.

The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments but covers all variants thereof without departing from the scope or spirit or the invention.

More particularly, if the jacks which have been described hereinbefore as being locking jacks i.e., jacks 14, 21, 17 and 18, are now fed with pressure fluid and not kept in a closed circuit, inclination adjustment can be carried out.

The foregoing description still applies except for the following points which relate more specifically to this other use of the stabilization system.

The chassis l of the machine is supported, for example, by a fixed axle 10 and an axle l1 pivotally connected to a longitudinal spindle 12 and/or which carries closely situated wheels. The pair of props 7 and 6 may be one of the types according to the three above-described embodiments. The props 8 and 9 adjacent the axle 11 will also be controlled by one of the above described three systems modified as follows.

The two chambers 61 and 62 of the jack 14 are no longer interconnected and the jack 14 is now connected to a pressure fluid supply circuit.

Also, in the second embodiment, the jack 21 is connected to a pressure fluid supply circuit.

The third embodiment is modified, the jacks l7 and 18 being adapted to be supplied crosswise. In other words, the chambers 55 and 56 are connected in parallel while the chambers 54 and 57 are connected to a pressure fluid circuit.

Improved operation is obtained with such systems. In addition to stabilization, the chassis can be restored to a horizontal position even on undulating ground.

The machine arrives on the site. Since the ground is usually uneven, the chassis may not have a very satisfactory horizontal support and this is an essential condition for immediate operation of this machine, particularly as regards equilibrium. To stabilize the machine it is secured on its props and this system is used to correct its attitude.

To this end, the props 6 and 7 are actuated and applied to the ground without being locked in position. The props 8 and 9 are then actuated and the jacks are left free, namely 14, or 21, or 17 and 18, depending upon the embodiment selected. The baseplates 4 and 5 are applied to the ground, pressure fluid is supplied to the jacks 14, or 21, or 17 and 18 so as to straighten the chassis on its props until the correct attitude has been reached. The supply to the jacks is then stopped and the props 6 and 7 are locked.

In this way the chassis is both stabilized and its inclination with respect to the ground is corrected in the required manner.

Other variants are also possible within the scope and the spirit of the foregoing insofar as they come follows: the heading of the equivalent technical means.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follow 1. In a civil engineering machine having a chassis and stabilizing means comprising at least one pair of props and pivotal connections between each prop of said pair and the chassis, actuating linkage means connecting said pair of props and extending between points on said props spaced from said pivotal connections between each prop and said chassis and including jack means comprising a portion of the connection between said props operable upon actuation for simultaneously pivoting said props and means for locking said actuating linkage means for preventing movement of said actuating linkage means with respect to said chassis to hold said props in fixed positions with respect to said chassis.

2. A civil engineering machine according to claim 15 wherein said actuating linkage means include a first hydraulic jack secured between said pair of props, an element rigidly connected to the chassis, and a second jack secured between said element and one of the props of said pair.

3. A civil engineering machine according to claim 2 including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle.

4-. A civil engineering machine according to claim 3, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement.

5. A civil engineering machine having a chassis and stabilizing means comprising at least one pair of props and pivotal connections between each prop of said pair of props and the chassis, the improvement comprising means connecting said pair of props and means for locking at least one of said pivotal connections wherein said means connecting said pair of props includes an arm pivotally connected to the chassis, a first pair of jacks respectively secured between said pair of props and said arm, and a hydraulic jack secured between said arm and the chassis.

6. A civil engineering machine according to claim 5, including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle.

7. A civil engineering machine according to claim 6, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement.

8. A civil engineering machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuating linkage means includes two arms pivotally connected to the chassis, a first pair of jacks secured respectively between one prop of said pair of props and one of said arms and between the other prop of said pair of props and the other of said arms and a pair of hydraulic jacks secured respectively between said two arms and the chassis.

9. A civil engineering machine according to claim 8. including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle,

10. A civil engineering machine according to claim 9, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement. 

1. In a civil engineering machine having a chassis and stabilizing means comprising at least one pair of props and pivotal connections between each prop of said pair and the chassis, actuating linkage means connecting said pair of props and extending between points on said props spaced from said pivotal connections between each prop and said chassis and including jack means comprising a portion of the connection between said props operable upon actuation for simultaneously pivoting said props and means for locking said actuating linkage means for preventing movement of said actuating linkage means with respect to said chassis to hold said props in fixed positions with respect to said chassis.
 2. A civil engineering machine according to claim 15 wherein said actuating linkage means include a first hydraulic jack secured between said pair of props, an element rigidly connected to the chassis, and a second jack secured between said element and one of the props of said pair.
 3. A civil engineering machine according to claim 2 including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle.
 4. A civil engineering machine according to claim 3, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement.
 5. A civil engineering machine having a chassis and stabilizing means comprising at least one pair of props and pivotal connections between each prop of said pair of props and the chassis, the improvement comprising means connecting said pair of props and means for locking at least one of said pivotal connections wherein said means connecting said pair of props includes an arm pivotally connected to the chassis, a first pair of jacks respectively secured between said pair of props and said arm, and a hydraulic jack secured between said arm and the chassis.
 6. A civil engineering machine according to claim 5, including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle.
 7. A civil engineering machine according to claim 6, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement.
 8. A civil engineering machine according to claim 1, wherein said actuating linkage means includes two arms pivotally connected to the chassis, a first pair of jacks secured respectively between one prop of said pair of props and one of said arms and between the other prop of said pair of props and the other of said arms and a pair of hydraulic jacks secured respectively between said two arms and the chassis.
 9. A civil engineering machine according to claim 8, including a fixed axle, an axle mounted for rocking movement relative to the chassis in a plane extending laterally of the chassis, and a pair of conventional props disposed near the fixed axle.
 10. A civil engineering machine according to claim 9, wherein said one pair of props is disposed near said axle mounted for rocking movement. 